PILOT WHALES FOR THE SECOND TIME
The other day a pod of pilot whales surprised us in Skjálfandi Bay in the early morning. In difference to the sighting earlier this month the pod was this time swimming just north of Lundey (Puffin Island) and therefore all departures in the morning and early afternoon could reach this rarely seen whales.
For many hours the whales were circling in the same area, probably feeding on some fish. That allowed us to get a perfect view onto our magnificent visitors. They were splashing a lot when surfacing and often one could see their cute round head above the water. At the same time they seemed to be perfectly lined up, swimming side by side and if one would make a turn, the entire group would follow in doing the same. Pilot whales are known to communicate a lot within their groups and this behaviour was a perfect proof of how excellent the communication within the individuals works. Everyone was stunned by the action.
Only in the early afternoon the pod suddenly changed its behaviour and from one second to another all whales speeded up and started to head north and out of the bay.
- Sarah
PHOTOS: Sarah Arndt / Sandra Mosquera Montes
